Paper-scoring apparatus

ABSTRACT

Groove-type paper scoring apparatus according to the invention comprises a platform providing a planar rectangular work surface. On the platform are a series of transversely spaced shallow score channels extending longitudinally from one end of the platform to the other. Shallow boundary walls extend along the side edges and the distal end of the platform. The distal end wall of the platform is provided with spaced vertical notches each mating with an associated one of the series of score channels. A scale or ruler extends along each of the walls.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention herein described relates generally to groove-typeapparatus for scoring paper (typically cardstock) so as to provide foldlines or creases. Such apparatus is used, for example, for facilitatingthe home manufacture of greeting cards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Paper-scoring apparatus for home and small-business use falls into twoquite different categories. One category is the ridge-type scoringdevice, which has spaced parallel sharp raised linear ridges on aworking platform. This type requires the use of a scoring tool having adistal fork mating with the cross-sectional shape of the ridge. Theother type is the groove type, having parallel linear grooves orchannels on a working platform. This type requires the use of a scoringtool having a distal point that can force the paper sheet part way intothe groove, creating a fold line or crease. The present invention liesin the latter category.

The paper scoring art is well developed and has undergone evolution overapproximately a century; by way of example, see Plante U.S. Pat. No.1,153,951 issued on 21 Sep. 1915. This patent discloses and illustratesa classic ridge-type scoring device and a scoring tool for use therewithhaving a forked distal portion for engaging the sharp linear scoringridges of the device.

All prior paper scoring devices suffer from various disadvantagesassociated with structural limitations, inadequate versatility, userunfriendliness, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this specification and the appended claims, “paper” means sheetmaterial to which one or more fold creases are to be imparted. Theselected sheet material will typically be cardstock, which is usedherein as a typical example, but often light cardboard or double-sideddecorator paper is used.

Paper scoring apparatus according to the invention is of the groove typerather than the sharp-ridge type. Such apparatus comprises

a. a platform providing a substantially planar rectangular work surface;

b. a series of transversely spaced shallow score channels (grooves) ofsubstantially uniform breadth and depth extending longitudinally fromthe distal end of the work surface to the proximal end of the worksurface; and

c. shallow boundary walls extending upwardly from and along the sideedges and the distal end of the platform.

“Distal” and “proximal” are with respect to the user. When the apparatusis in use, the distal end of the platform is more remote from the user;the proximal end closer to the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the inventive apparatus, the distal endboundary wall of the platform is provided with a series of spacedgenerally vertical notches each mating with an associated one of theseries of score channels. The notches extend upward from the distal endsof corresponding score channels. This design feature facilitates scoretool penetration of the paper at the distal end of the selected scorechannel.

The score channels or grooves are dimensioned for ease of use, havingdue regard to the expected thickness of the cardstock (say) with whichthe device will be used. The point of the complementary scoring tool isdimensioned for compatiblity with the score channels and cardstockexpected to be used. The point of the scoring tool is typically not atrue point, but a rounded point so that the paper is not pricked by thepoint of the tool. It is partly for this reason that the notches areprovided so that the working edge of the rounded point is able to reachthe distal end of each groove. It is convenient for some purposes tohave the score channels wide enough that they can be used forreverse-embossing the cardstock for ornamental purposes.

The platform of the inventive paper scoring apparatus is of a suitablelength and width selected for use with rectangular paper of a knowndimension. In America, cardstock is typically 8.5″×11″. Accordingly, asuitable platform may conveniently be 12″×12″, permitting placingcardstock onto and removal of cardstock from the platform with ease, forboth portrait and landscape orientations of the cardstock on theplatform, for both left-handed and right-handed users.

Paper scoring apparatus of the aforementioned general type may beprovided with a scale along one or more walls. Optimally, at least thedistal end wall of the inventive apparatus is provided with a scale, andeach sidewall may also be provided with a scale. The scale displayslength in selected units of length, which in America is typicallyinches.

For convenience of use, including reading of scales, the boundary wallsfor the platform are of substantially uniform height, the tops of theboundary walls are generally parallel to the platform, and the scalesare located on or in the vicinity of the tops of the boundary walls.

Conveniently, at least some of the score channels are spaced from oneanother in multiples or fractions of the selected unit of length. Forexample, most of the score channels could be placed one-half inch apart,and would be aligned with half-inch markings on the distal end wallscale.

Additional score channels may be provided for special purposes, such asfolding a sheet of cardstock into thirds. Preferably marks are providedalong the distal end boundary wall of the platform in the vicinity ofthe distal ends of such additional score channels, for identifying thosescore channels that are suitable for use in making predeterminedpreferred scoring.

The preferred method of manufacture of paper scoring apparatus accordingto the invention is not part of the invention. Conventional molding andforming techniques may be applied to suitable plastics material which inuse is relatively strong and rigid. The inventive device may be anintegral plastics device manufactured in a single mold. To facilitateextrication of the device from the mold, selected surfaces may beslightly inclined rather than strictly perpendicular to adjacentsurfaces. Terms such as “generally vertical” should be read with theforegoing in mind, and on the premise that in normal use, the platformwill be horizontal or nearly so. To facilitate a light weight of theapparatus while maintaining adequate strength, spaced reinforcing ribsmay be provided on the underside of the platform, each rib underlying anassociated groove, for strengthening the platform in the vicinity of theassociated groove. Additional oblique ribs may also be provided on theunderside of the platform for strengthening the platform whilemaintaining overall light weight of the scoring device.

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the paper scoringdevice according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a section elevation view of the device of FIG. 1, taken alongthe section line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 1 accompanied by ascoring tool suitable for use therewith.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the underside of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 1 viewed from itsunderside.

FIG. 6 comprises (i) a fragmentary side elevation view, partially insection, of the distal portion of a scoring device resembling that ofFIG. 1, except that no notches are present in the distal end wall of thescoring device; and (ii) a side elevation view of a working scoring toolpoised to begin the scoring of cardstock or the like, the cardstock alsobeing shown in fragmentary section view.

FIG. 7 comprises (i) a fragmentary side elevation view, partially insection, of the distal portion of the scoring device of FIG. 1; and (ii)a side elevation view of a working scoring tool poised to begin thescoring of cardstock or the like, the cardstock also being shown infragmentary section view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description is of a preferred embodiment of the paper scoringdevice according to the invention, and as such includes mention ofdesirable design features in addition to those that relate to theinvention per se.

This embodiment generally indicated as 10 is preferably formed fromsturdy plastics material. It comprises a platform 12 bounded at itsdistal end 13 by an end wall 14 formed in a deck 16 and along its sidesby sidewalls 18, 20. (The term “fence” is sometimes used in the industryin preference to “sidewall”.) The upper surfaces of the sidewalls 18, 20are preferably coplanar with the upper surface of the deck 16. Thesidewalls 18, 20 are preferably narrow but their upper surfaces arepreferably wide enough to present linear scales 22, 24 demarcated ininches or centimetres.

(The terms “distal” and “proximal” in this description, when referringto the device 10 or the platform 12 or portions thereof, are used withrespect to the body of the user of the device. The deck 16 and end wall14 are remote from the user, and therefore are distally located, whilstthe end 28 of the platform 12 is close to the user, and is thereforeproximally located.)

The platform 12 may be integral with the sidewalls 18, 20 and may besuspended above any suitable supporting surface (not shown) such as atable top by having the outermost portions of each of the sidewalls 18,20 extend downward below the undersurface 26 of the platform 12. Thelower edges 19, 21 of the sidewalls 18, 20 are coplanar and may beparallel to the platform 12 as illustrated or, if desired, could begiven a slight inclination so that the distal end 13 of the platform 12rests at a higher level than its proximal end 28. Pedestals 30 at thecorners of the paper scoring device 10 may be of rubber or the like toprovide non-scratching frictional engagement between the device 10 andthe supporting surface on which it rests.

Between the proximal edge of the deck 16 and the end wall 14; i.e.distally of the distal edge of the platform 12, is a transverse bevelledsurface 34 on which a linear scale 36 is displayed, demarcated in inchesor centimetres, the zero point on the scale coinciding with the leftedge of the platform 12, i.e. coincident with the distal end of theinner surface of the left sidewall 18. The bevelling of the scale 36facilitates visual alignment of a scoring tool with a selected groove32.

Parallel shallow scoring grooves, two exemplary ones of which aredesignated by reference numeral 32, extend longitudinally from thedistal end 13 to the proximal end 28 of the platform 12. Conveniently,many of the neighboring grooves are spaced apart by a standard unit ofmeasurement, e.g. by 0.5 in. or by 1.0 cm, and are correspondinglyaligned with divisions of the scale 36. Others of the grooves may beplaced for specific folding purposes. In the illustrated embodiment, thesidewalls 18, 20 are 12 in. apart. Assuming a standard letter-sizecardstock of 8.5 in.×11 in., grooves 38, 40 are located at transversedistances of 3⅔ in. and 7⅓ in. respectively from the left end (zeropoint) of the scale 36 so that when such standard sheet is placed inlandscape orientation, i.e. with its longer edge against the end wall 14and its shorter edge against the sidewall 18, the grooves 38, 40 dividethe sheet into three equal portions lengthwise—i.e., the 11-inch lengthof the cardstock is divided into thirds when a scoring tool is run alongthe cardstock at the grooves 38 and 40. Grooves 38, 40 are aligned withtriangular marks 42, 44 on the scale 36 for ease of recognition by theuser. Similarly, grooves 46, 48 are respectively aligned with dots 50,52 at 2.125 in. and 6.375 in. along the scale 36, for the purpose offorming a standard gate fold in a sheet of standard cardstock positionedin portrait orientation with the short edge of the cardstock placedagainst end wall 14 and the long edge against the inner surface of thesidewall 18. Other special-purpose marks and corresponding grooves couldbe provided at the designer's discretion.

To combine light weight with strength, the platform 12 is formed as arelatively thin sheet with reinforcing longitudinally extending ribs 54underlying the grooves 32, and with spaced oblique supporting ribs 56whose lower edges are aligned with the lower edges 19, 21 of sidewalls18, 20 providing additional support for the platform 12 when it rests onan underlying supporting surface.

A suitably formed scoring tool 60 whose distal working end 62 is formedas a rounded “point”, is dimensioned so that the working end 62 of thetool 60 forces cardstock into a groove 32 when the tool is pressed downagainst the cardstock and run longitudinally along the cardstock inalignment with the underlying groove 32. A receptacle in the nature of ashallow cavity 64 is located on the right side of the deck 16. The wallsof the cavity 64 mate with the edges of the tool 60. Resilient clips 66retain the tool 60 in the cavity 64 when the tool 60 is not in use. Aspring-loaded flip mechanism 68, when triggered by finger depression,forces the tool 60 upwards out of engagement with the retaining clips66. The provision of a retaining receptacle for the tool 60 is not partof the present invention, nor are the details of the flip mechanism.

To facilitate the initial positioning of the working end 62 of thescoring tool 60 at the distal end of a given groove 32, so that the mostdistal working edge of the tool 60 may reach the distal limit of any ofthe grooves 32, the end wall 14 is provided with a series of spacednotches or indentations 70, each aligned with an associated groove 32.This design feature permits the user to know where each groove 32begins, even when the groove is covered by cardstock, and to positionthe tip 62 of the scoring tool 60 at or very close to the distal limitof the groove 32. The notches 70 also facilitate the commencement ofscoring the cardstock at that distal limit.

Expanding on the feature discussed in the foregoing paragraph, the“point” of a scoring tool is typically not a sharp point but is rounded.There are at least three good reasons for this, viz (i) a sharp point ismore likely to pierce the cardstock (say), which normally is notdesired; (ii) a rounded point enables an effective contact between thescoring tool and the cardstock over the range of angles of tool toplatform that may be expected in use; and (iii) a sharp point is morelikely to break off than a rounded point. The scoring tool 60illustrated in the drawings has a rounded “point”.

However, because the “point” of a scoring tool is rounded, it isvirtually impossible for its distal end to make contact with thecardstock. Rather, the most distal portion of the underside of the toolpoint that makes contact with the cardstock is spaced by a shortdistance from the distal end of the point. This fact is illustrated inFIG. 6, which shows a fragment of the distal end of a representativescoring apparatus in section, and a tool poised above the platform foruse in scoring a sheet of cardstock, also illustrated. For convenience,the scoring apparatus selected for illustration in FIG. 6 closelyresembles that of FIG. 1 save that the apparatus of FIG. 6 has nonotches in the distal end of the apparatus. Specifically, such scoringapparatus 110 is provided with a platform 112 whose distal edgeterminates in an end wall 114 formed in a deck portion 116 of theapparatus 110. Cardstock 78 is placed on the platform 112 with itsdistal edge 80 in contact with end wall 114. The point 62 of scoringtool 60 abuts the end wall 114 at the beginning of a scoring run alongthe cardstock 78. Because of the rounded configuration of the point 62,the leading point of contact 76 of the point 62 with the cardstock 78 isspaced a short distance from the end wall 114, leaving a distal portion82 of the cardstock 78 unscored when the tool 60 is moved from itsdistal limit in contact with end wall 114 proximally toward the user.

In contrast, because scoring apparatus 10 according to a preferredembodiment of the invention is provided with notches 70 in end wall 14,the point 62 of scoring tool 60 is able to move distally relative to theend wall 14 so that the leading point of contact 76 of the point 62 iscoincident with the distal edge 80 of the cardstock 78. Accordingly, thescoring tool 60 is enabled to score the cardstock 78 completely, fromits distal edge 80 proximally to the opposite edge (not illustrated) ofthe cardstock 78. The foregoing is illustrated in FIG. 7.

Desirably, the dimensions and configuration of the point 62 of thescoring tool 60 are designed to complement the dimensions of the notches70 so that the point 62 may penetrate a given notch 70 sufficiently thatthe leading point of contact 76 of the underside of the point 62 is ableto reach the distal edge 80 of the cardstock 78 when that edge 80 is incontact with the end wall 14.

The scoring device 10 and scoring tool 60 may be manufactured of strongrigid plastics material, using conventional molding and formingtechniques. The propeller-shaped flow leader 74, shaped as a flat riseon the underside of the platform 12, is an artifact of the moldingprocess; it corresponds in shape and dimensions to a counterpart shallowcavity in the mold (not illustrated), which latter facilitates flow ofmolten plastic to the underside portion of the platform 12 from the moldgate. The shape and dimensions of the flow leader, and the preferredposition of the mold gate, are preferably determined with the assistanceof a mold flow analysis, which will vary from one specific design toanother. For the preferred embodiment of the inventive scoring deviceillustrated, a mold flow analysis indicated that the mold gate should belocated off-centre relative to the horizontal dimensions of the device10. In the molded product, the mold gate position corresponds to agenerally circular rise 72 in the underside of the platform 12.

In use, the scoring device 10 is placed on a flat surface with theproximal end 28 nearest the user. A sheet of cardstock is placed on theplatform 12. For cardmaking, the sheet is normally placed with its shortedge abutting the distal end wall 14 and its long edge abutting the leftsidewall 18. For boxmaking, the sheet is normally placed with its longedge abutting the distal end wall 14 and its short edge abutting theleft sidewall 18.

The left side of the deck 16 serves as a flat surface against which theuser's left hand may exert modest pressure on the scoring device 10 tostabilize it while it is being used. As the notches 70 are coincidentwith grooves 32 coinciding with scale divisions of the scale 36 or withspecial marks 42, 50 etc., the user can easily select the groove 32 tobe used for scoring the cardstock (say). The working end 62 of the tool60 is then used to score the cardstock, preferably beginning at anassociated notch 70 and continuing proximally until the sheet ofcardstock is scored across its entire width (or length) or to a desireddistance from the end wall 14. The sidewall scales 22, 24 facilitateaccurate termination of the score line if the scoring is to stop shortof the proximal edge of the cardstock. Two or more score lines may bemade for particular purposes while the cardstock is in place against theend wall 14 and the sidewall 18. Decorative embossing (“deco-embossing”)may be accomplished by repeatedly scoring the underside of thepresentation surface of the cardstock along oblique lines.

Preferably the width between the sidewalls 18, 20 is slightly longerthan the maximum length or width of cardstock to be scored. This choiceof width permits a left-handed user to place the right edge of thecardstock against the sidewall 20, which may make scoring the cardstockeasier for such user. When selecting the preferred dimensions of thescoring device 10, there is a trade-off to be made between accommodationof cardstock of large dimensions, on the one hand, and cost ofmanufacture and ease of use for conventionally sized cardstock, on theother hand. Note that the height of sidewalls 18, 20 is preferably quiteshort so that if oversize cardstock is to be scored, part of thecardstock may overlie either sidewall with very little temporarydeformation.

For diagonal scoring, opposed corners of the cardstock are aligned withone and the same groove 32.

It will be apparent that a device that imitates some but not all of thedesirable design features of the scoring device herein described andillustrated may well be a useful scoring device within the scope of theinvention. For example, a competitor might provide interruptions in thesidewalls 18, 20 without losing the benefit gained by having walls alongboth sides of the platform 12. The invention is not limited to thepreferred embodiment herein described and illustrated, but is defined inscope by the appended claims.

1. Paper scoring apparatus comprising a. a platform providing asubstantially planar rectangular work surface, having an underside, twoside edges, a distal end and a proximal end, all with respect to a user;b. a series of transversely spaced shallow score channels ofsubstantially uniform breadth and depth extending longitudinally fromthe distal end of the work surface to the proximal end of the worksurface; and c. shallow boundary walls extending upwardly from and along(i) the two side edges and (ii) the distal end of the platform, theboundary wall at the distal end of the platform having a series ofspaced generally vertical notches mating with the series of scorechannels and extending upward from the distal ends as verticalextensions of corresponding score channels
 2. Paper scoring apparatus asdefined in claim 1, wherein the platform is of selected length and widthsuitable for use with rectangular paper of a known dimension.
 3. Paperscoring apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the platform is of alength and width each exceeding the length of the rectangular paper ofknown dimension.
 4. Paper scoring apparatus as defined in claim 2,including a scale along the edge of the distal end of the platformdisplaying length in selected units of length.
 5. Paper scoringapparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein the scale is on a surfacebevelled relative to the generally vertical surface of the distal endboundary wall.
 6. Paper scoring apparatus as defined in claim 4,additionally including a scale along each of the side edges of theplatform displaying length in the selected units of length.
 7. Paperscoring apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein the boundary walls areof substantially uniform height, the tops of the boundary walls aregenerally parallel to the platform, and the scales are located on or inthe vicinity of the tops of the boundary walls.
 8. Paper scoringapparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein at least some of the scorechannels are spaced from one another in multiples of the selected unitsof length.
 9. Paper scoring apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein atleast some of the score channels are spaced from one another in simplefractions of the selected units of length.
 10. Paper scoring apparatusas defined in claim 6, additionally including marks along the distal endboundary wall of the platform proximate the distal ends of selectedscore channels, for identifying score channels suitable for use inmaking predetermined preferred scoring.
 11. Paper scoring apparatus asdefined in claim 1, additionally including spaced reinforcing ribs onthe underside of the platform, each rib underlying an associated groovefor strengthening the platform in the vicinity of the associated groove.12. A paper scoring apparatus comprising: a platform providing asubstantially planar work surface having an underside, two side edges, adistal end, and a proximal end, all with respect to a user; a series oftransversely spaced shallow score channels of substantially uniformbreadth extending longitudinally from the distal end of the work surfacetoward the proximal end of the work surface; and a shallow boundary wallextending upwardly from a distal end of the two side edges along thedistal end of the platform, the boundary wall at the distal end of theplatform having a series of spaced generally vertical notches matingwith the series of score channels and extending upward from the distalend as vertical extensions of corresponding score channels.
 13. Thepaper scoring apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein the platform hasa length and width suitable for use with paper of known dimension. 14.The paper scoring apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein the platformhas a length or width exceeding the length or width of the paper ofknown dimension.
 15. The paper scoring apparatus as defined in claim 13,further comprising a scale along an edge of the distal end of theplatform displaying the length or width in selected units ofmeasurement.
 16. The paper scoring apparatus as defined in claim 15,wherein the scale is on a surface beveled relative to a surface of thedistal end boundary wall.
 17. The paper scoring apparatus as defined inclaim 15, wherein the distal end boundary wall has a substantiallyuniform height, with the top of the boundary wall generally parallel tothe platform and the scale located on or in the vicinity of the top ofthe boundary wall.
 18. The paper scoring apparatus as defined in claim15, wherein at least some of the score channels are spaced from oneanother in multiples of the selected units of measurement.
 19. The paperscoring apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein at least some of thescore channels are spaced from one another in fractions of the selectedunits of measurement.
 20. The paper scoring apparatus as defined inclaim 15, further comprising marks along the distal end boundary wall ofthe platform proximate the distal ends of selected score channels thatidentify score channels suitable for use in making predeterminedpreferred scoring.
 21. The paper scoring apparatus as defined in claim13, further comprising a scale along a side edge of the platformdisplaying the length or width in selected units of measurement.
 22. Thepaper scoring apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprisingspaced reinforcing ribs on the underside of the platform, wherein eachrib underlies an associated score channel for strengthening the platformin the vicinity of the associated score channel.